Naxal insurgency, also known as Left Wing Extremism (LWE), has significantly disrupted forestry operations in the Palamau Tiger Reserve, one of India’s oldest tiger reserves located in Jharkhand. The presence of Naxals has impeded conservation efforts and hindered essential activities such as tiger census and prey management.
Historical Context
The Palamau Tiger Reserve was established as one of the first nine tiger reserves under Project Tiger, launched by the Union Government in 1973. Historically, the reserve had a thriving tiger population, with a peak of 71 tigers recorded in 1995. However, due to ongoing insurgency, the tiger population has faced a significant decline.
Current Status
- Tiger Population: In 2014, only three tigers were reported, and a 2019 All-India Tiger Estimation found no tigers in the reserve. A dead tiger was discovered in 2020, but recent reports from December 2023 confirmed the sighting of two male tigers.
- Conservation Challenges: The core zone of the reserve remains largely inaccessible due to Maoist activities, preventing effective conservation efforts and tiger censuses.
Effects on Wildlife
The insurgency has negatively impacted the prey base for tigers, forcing them to migrate to neighboring states such as Chhattisgarh and Odisha. To address this issue, forest officials are considering relocating two tigresses to the reserve to bolster the tiger population and increase the prey base.
Operational Issues
- Staffing Problems: The reserve has been struggling with left-wing extremism-related issues since 1990. Recruitment for forest staff has been pending for decades, with more than 60% of positions, including forest guards, remaining vacant.
- Local Workforce: The local population heavily relies on the forest for livelihood, which compounds management issues. The reserve relies on local workers to assist with field protection and tiger monitoring due to a shortage of frontline staff.
Future Plans
Forest officials are focusing on increasing the prey base and improving the reserve’s security situation to enhance conservation efforts and support the tiger population.
Multiple-Choice Questions (MCQs):
- When was the Palamau Tiger Reserve established as part of India’s first tiger reserves?
- A) 1975
- B) 1973
- C) 1980
- D) 1990
- How many tigers were reported in the Palamau Tiger Reserve in 1995?
- A) 50
- B) 71
- C) 30
- D) 100
- What has been one of the major impacts of Left Wing Extremism on the Palamau Tiger Reserve?
- A) Increased tourism
- B) Improved prey base
- C) Decline in tiger population
- D) Enhanced forest protection
- What recent action is being considered to help the tiger population in the Palamau Tiger Reserve?
- A) Expanding the reserve’s boundaries
- B) Relocating two tigresses to the reserve
- C) Increasing tourism activities
- D) Hiring more forest guards
- What percentage of forest guard positions are currently vacant in the Palamau Tiger Reserve?
- A) 30%
- B) 50%
- C) 60%
- D) 80%